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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 15 2023, 4:58pm
Post #1 of 39
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**It's time for Fiesta Friday!!!!
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I will be your server today… FAIR WARNING! And I am armed to cure whatever thirst you have.
We're coming up on the Winter Solstice, as well as the last mad-dash for holiday preparations. Are you ready yet, or are you one of those mad-dashers ;) OR PRANCERS or COMETS, etc. ;)
This is also a very special weekend as we kick off the RotK 20th Anniversary Celebration. The official date is this Sunday, December 17; but when did we ever let a little ol' thing like a calendar hold us back? ;)
Do tell on what you've been up to and what you have coming up while you lift a glass or mug of your favourite. I've also got some chilled eggnog in the fridge ;)
   
Take care... and have a great weekend!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Dec 15 2023, 5:00pm)
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Dec 15 2023, 5:26pm
Post #2 of 39
(1966 views)
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Some eggnog would be very nice!
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Thank you, gramma! Good gracious, did Santa eat all that cake?
We're in the midst of the kids' holiday concerts here. Second graders present one for the rest of the school today, down in the gym. I'm partway through setting up the library for the pre-kindergarteners' "concert" in here on Monday, we'll need tons of chairs for parents, grandparents, and younger siblings!
We'll be going to a carol-sing on Saturday, then Sunday I'm going to bake gifts for my co-workers. And I need to start wrapping the presents to go under our own tree. I did give my kitty her present early: a 12" x 18" flat cloth bag, with an opening to fill it with a bit of catnip - she loves it, sometimes lying around on it, sometimes getting wrapped up in it! 
Do you have a special present for Pickle, gramma?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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cats16
Half-elven
Dec 15 2023, 5:42pm
Post #3 of 39
(1966 views)
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Can I have a nice cold root beer, please? :)
Work has been absolutely more brutal and brutal everyday as this week's gone on. This is the first time I've had to dip into my reserves of resilience that I built up at past horrific jobs as a survival tactic. You know that particular kind of bad energy, when the universe seems to be sending you all of the worst requests/projects/etc when you're trying to get out of a job? Almost as if something out there is flashing a red light saying, see! You know what you need to do!
Thankfully though, it's Friday, so just about time to stop thinking about all of that for awhile.  We're getting a couple of vaccines tonight, so fingers crossed I'm only mildly sore - as I usually am with vaccines *knocks on wood*. Otherwise it'll be a pretty low-key weekend, though I'd like to get outside a bit as there's a storm (upwards of 2.5 inches of rain) coming our way next week.
And yeah...I'm usually one of those people scrambling to get their holiday gifts purchased now. So I'll be busy with that too, haha.
Wishing everyone a happy weekend!
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 15 2023, 5:57pm
Post #4 of 39
(1966 views)
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You've got a busy weekend going on!
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WOW! But the kids' concerts and your caroling are definitely highlights and the best part of Christmas :D
I found a cupcake nearby, so you're saddled with both :)
Kitty is going to LOVE that present!!! Plan on lots of purring and rolling and much foolishness. SO FUN!
I'm going to be blowing Pickle's little doggie mind. His favourite treat are those little carrots that come in 2lb bags... all shaved down, small and very neat. Fun to do the ONE, TWO, THREE!! toss as he dives for them from across the room. Well, I've got a BIG carrot... like you'd pull out of the ground or find on a snowman's face. Pickle's going to freak out! So he'll be busy that for about an hour ;)
I hope you have a wonderful weekend singing, baking, wrapping and maybe coming up for air a couple of times!!! *huggles*
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 15 2023, 6:03pm
Post #5 of 39
(1961 views)
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So... is it the type of work or those particular jobs?
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I mean, they seem to start out fair and good, then DECLINE! *makes whistling dive sound followed by splat* Everyone's trying to get stuff done by the end of the year. TIME IS RELEVANT PEOPLE!! Yeah... I think you have a target floating around your area, fersher! I hope it quiets down very soon or you have a FAST FIND on the job hunt!
Good luck on the aftermath of the vaccines; but good for you to get them done :) It sounds like the season could get harry with everyone out and about visiting friends and families.
HANG IN THERE!!
We have been there and back again.
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Annael
Elvenhome
Dec 15 2023, 7:25pm
Post #6 of 39
(1956 views)
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I'm sending you and Ataahua good vibes for work calming down & going BETTER by the end of the year! And/or the perfect job suddenly appearing!
I'm going to get the RSV vaccine . . . I had decided not to, but then a couple of friends got it and were slammed (one for three weeks!) so I want to avoid that. Other friends have said that they were mostly just tired for a day after getting it.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
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NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
(This post was edited by Annael on Dec 15 2023, 7:25pm)
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Annael
Elvenhome
Dec 15 2023, 7:37pm
Post #7 of 39
(1955 views)
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eggnog sounds lovely (I have avoided, so far) but so does hot chocolate with a big slug of Bailey's . . . maybe I'll be a two-fisted drinker today! The calories are virtual after all.
Lessee, my friends and I have a new tradition: we celebrate birthdays by having playdates! Mine isn't for two weeks but everyone is busy then, so yesterday three friends & I drove to a town south of us that's noted for its historic districts and antique shops, yet somehow isn't quite as touristy as some other towns around here. We all found treasures, we had a nice lunch overlooking the river (which is one that flooded last week, and we could see that it had come up well over the banks), and finished up with cupcakes from a dedicated gluten-free bakery. They were very good but half frosting, and the frosting was a very thick buttercream. I felt like I ate half a stick of butter! They do a fun thing there; they put the remnants from the cakes that they serve slices from in plastic pint containers and sell them. Perfect for making cake pops!
I finished up the book on neurodivergent self-care and sent it off, and today I got the next manuscript, on how to inspire your teenager. (I'm skeptical, but haven't read it yet!). The deadline is one month so I'll have enough free time to enjoy the holidays.
Tomorrow I'm going to an outside caroling party in the afternoon. Two families have hosted a caroling party for decades that I almost always came for; it started with a potluck dinner before we went caroling, but it was cancelled during the pandemic. We're not quite ready to gather inside year so we're going to have a cookie and hot chocolate gathering around a bonfire instead. Trying to keep the traditions going . . . and Sunday I've got a solstice gathering on Zoom for a bunch of mythies who get together for every equinox and solstice just for fun.
Today; I'm baking! Cranberry bread and sugar cookies that will be iced with white icing then topped with chopped pecans and cranberries.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
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NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Dec 15 2023, 7:44pm
Post #8 of 39
(1957 views)
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I baked a large Christmas cake and have given half to a friend, so mine is semicircular and MUST be left alone until Christmas. I'll marzipan it but not ice it - too much sugar! If I could find three wise men on camels that would be quite a good decoration... I went out earlier to collect a gift voucher for a selection box of gluten-free cakes for my daughter. If she likes them I can book her a one-to-one baking class with the maker, where she might pick up tips to improve her sweet and savoury gluten-free options. Fingers crossed! That's all the gifts bought now - phew!
Good luck with the vaccines folks, and with work; both are painful in their own way! I'm in a Gandalf mood tonight - 'Just tea, thank you!'
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 15 2023, 7:54pm
Post #9 of 39
(1954 views)
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Prepare fists of beverage fury!
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Your biggest decision is which one settles in which hand? Tally Ho! :D
What a perfect way to celebrate your birthday!! Antiquing, food, decadent cupcakes and potential poppers to build later!
Ok... I just gained 3 pounds talking about all that *slaver, slurp* great holiday food and cooking and bonfiring! I think that's a great idea to wait before doing the inside gathering. Once you start that up again, it would be hard to stop again in case there are too many nasties still floating around.
Kudos on getting the neurodivergent book done! Was it helpful? I'll be watching for it :)
Have a WONDERFUL weekend, m'dear!
We have been there and back again.
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 15 2023, 8:06pm
Post #10 of 39
(1946 views)
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I'll be getting into the baking too this weekend.
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Today; I'm baking! Cranberry bread and sugar cookies that will be iced with white icing then topped with chopped pecans and cranberries.
I'll be making 'Mum's buns' (not buns, and my grandmother's recipe) because they're easy to make, deceptively tasty and the recipe makes heaps. I'll give them to the IT department for thanks for their support over the year, and also to help them through the big changes at work. (The big desk-shift is taking place this weekend, after which IT will be run off their feet making sure everyone's computer is connected and operating properly.)
The 'buns' are biscuits (US = cookies) that are soft and have a dollop of raspberry jam on top. Unfortunately I realised a few years ago that they look like miniature breasts. I'm sure the mature folks in IT won't notice a thing...
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
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Dec 15 2023, 8:09pm
Post #11 of 39
(1948 views)
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That pre-Christmas crunch is awful.
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Everyone's running on fumes at the end of a long year, the sudden realisation that 'Christmas is close!' feeds anxiety about deadlines, and expectations about 'we have a new job that has to be done by Friday' are ridiculous.
Breathe, cats. You can only do what you can do - and you don't owe the company your good health. I hope next week is easier for you.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 15 2023, 8:20pm
Post #12 of 39
(1947 views)
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One hot pot o' tea coming right up!
I love how you share you cake-building talents with everyone :D I'll bet your home smells DELICIOUS! Have a wonderful weekend, and keep up the good work :D
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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cats16
Half-elven
Dec 15 2023, 10:40pm
Post #13 of 39
(1940 views)
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Just the particular companies, I'd say.
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I think I've caught a couple of companies in a row when they were on a really good ascent, and then cut to a couple of years later...the economic situation shifts, and then suddenly everyone's worst impulses come out and it becomes hard to endure.
But thank you! Yes indeed - we've had a few friends and acquaintances get the flu in the last couple of weeks, so definitely a lot floating around.
*slurps root beer* Thanks, have a great weekend gramma!
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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cats16
Half-elven
Dec 15 2023, 10:44pm
Post #14 of 39
(1938 views)
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Fingers crossed we see a slowdown starting next week. I took off the week of New Year's, so even if they want to jump right back into the chaos, they'll have to start 2024 without me for a week. Thankfully, the semi-last minute trip to Vegas we're taking next week will be very satisfying, if only to escape RL for a bit.
Ah, that's good! Sometimes a friend's horror story is enough to convince one to get the jab haha. Which reminds me, I need to get my tetanus booster too, but the idea of doing that plus a Covid/flu shot all in one sitting felt a bit overkill.
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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cats16
Half-elven
Dec 15 2023, 10:46pm
Post #15 of 39
(1935 views)
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That's a nice reminder, thank you. And I hope things are in a semi-okay state for you - I'd like to think your company isn't doing anymore layoffs this close to Christmas...
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Dec 15 2023, 10:46pm
Post #16 of 39
(1939 views)
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the house smelled beautiful - then I went and wrecked it all by cooking broccoli with the evening meal. Bad planning, that! 
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 16 2023, 12:27am
Post #17 of 39
(1926 views)
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And this is a cinnamon cupcake!
What! You found Pickle a Peter Jackson-size carrot?
You have a great weekend too, gramma!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 16 2023, 12:28am
Post #18 of 39
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who have been made redundant during stage 1 have been told; their last day is 15 Jan. Teams in stage 2 have begun their structure reviews so good luck to them.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 16 2023, 12:29am
Post #19 of 39
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The weekend is here! What a pain to have just before Christmas, but you'll make it through.
Happy gift-hunting this weekend! And stay dry!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 16 2023, 12:35am
Post #20 of 39
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at our ages - having "playdates" of shopping and eating out! Did you bring home any cake remnants?
Your work seems just perfect for you, and un-rushed! Interesting book you've got next, you may get some laughs out of it...
Stay warm with the caroling! Do you have any special "rituals" for the solstice?
Those sugar cookies are sounding very decadent...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 16 2023, 12:38am
Post #21 of 39
(1930 views)
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Broccoli aroma mingled with cake - no, no, even thinking about it sounds yuck!
But I can imagine how delicious the cake is. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Dec 16 2023, 2:20pm
Post #23 of 39
(1905 views)
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but I did shave a little piece off the cake - had to test it! - and it was fine. It'll be all the better for a few sprinkles of brandy before the marzipan goes on.
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Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Dec 16 2023, 2:21pm
Post #24 of 39
(1905 views)
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is cook greens with fish - double whammy! - then just open the doors and burn candles.
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Annael
Elvenhome
Dec 16 2023, 5:38pm
Post #25 of 39
(1895 views)
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I love broccoli but it is a not a good smell
I used to live near a paper mill. One time they did a poll on what people thought it smelled like. They had several options but not the right one; whenever the wind brought the smell to my house my first thought was "oh no, the broccoli's gone off."
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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